Plastic bag stand

ABSTRACT

A stand is described for supporting one or more plastic bags while in transit in a vehicle. The stand utilizes a single piece of material folded into a useful, “A” frame shape and secured by fasteners. 
     The stand is described with and without a handle for carrying the stand with bags attached.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/937,402 filed on Jun. 26, 2007. The disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

PRIOR ART CITED

-   -   U.S. Pat. No. 6,375,131     -   U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,945     -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,102     -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,288     -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,189     -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,971     -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,499     -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,612     -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,825     -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,041     -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,743     -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,295     -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,512     -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,534     -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,348     -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,056     -   U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,656     -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,519     -   D 371,023     -   D 302,062

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

NONE

SEQUENCE LISTING

NONE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a stand used to stabilize one or more plastic shopping bags during transportation in a vehicle and prevent contents within the bags from escaping.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following discussion is provided solely to assist the understanding of the reader, and does not constitute an admission that any of the information discussed or references cited constitute prior art to the present invention.

Grocery stores and other retail stores are favoring plastic shopping bags over paper bags for their customers. Plastic bags are less costly than paper bags and have environmental advantages such as conservation of forest lands, reduced weight and therefore less fuel emissions to transport the bags. Plastic bags however, present a problem when transported in a vehicle. Thin walled plastic shopping bags are limp and do not adequately support their contents. When a vehicle turns, or excellerates, or stops these types of bags can open and the contents spill out.

The present invention relates to an apparatus that can be used to support a plurality of plastic bags of various sizes, holding various contents, during transportation within a vehicle. The present device is designed to be used with bags that are equipped with integral handles.

The present invention is independent of the vehicle in which it is placed. The device may be placed within the vehicle passenger compartment, the vehicle trunk, the vehicle cargo area or the vehicle bed. When placed on the seat of a vehicle, the present device may be secured by use of the vehicle's seatbelt.

The invention is made of a single piece of material that can be easily folded into the desired form for use; and the invention can be easily folded flat when not in use. Preventing the problems of plastic bag spillage during transit has been the subject of prior invention. However no prior art has been found that addresses the collective functions of the present device. Prior inventions address the primary function but not in the same manner or to the same degree as the present invention. Patents such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,375,131, 4,723,743, 4,364,534 and D371,023 describe plastic bag holders that each support only a single bag, whereas the present invention provides support for multiple bags. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,226,348 and 5,427,288 describe bag holders designed to support multiple bags however they rely on the vehicle itself to provide support or mounting for the device. The present invention does not rely on the motor vehicle for mounting.

An area divider is known in accord with patents such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,226,348, 4,189,056 and 3,986,656. These inventions do not hold the bag handles in an upright position and therefore the limp, plastic grocery bags are allowed to open and the contents escape. The present invention secures the handles in an upright position and prevents bags from opening.

Other devices such as those taught by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,129,612, 4,746,041, 4,372,512 and 4,305,519 were designed to retain paper bags and do not support thin walled plastic bags.

There are other examples of prior art that describe rigid structures for supporting plastic bags such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,375,131, 6,041,945, 5,366,189 and 5,287,971 however these designs do not fold flat when not in use. The present invention is able to easily fold flat when not in use.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the contents of the plastic bag rest upon the base of the stand and thereby provide ballast for the stand. A subset of the prior art, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,226,348, 4,657,295, 5,050,825 and 5,464,102 embody designs wherein the weight of the bags rest on the base of the device, however these examples are not able to be retained by a seatbelt. The present invention allows a seatbelt to be passed through the device.

Designs D302,062, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,131,499, 4,723,743 and 4,364,534 describe holders for dispensing and filling plastic bags in a store environment and are not designed to be used in a motor vehicle.

With respect to all prior inventions of this type, no other device uses a single piece of material that is folded and fastened to itself, as in the case of the present invention. The direct advantages of the single piece construction are lower cost and ease of assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The shortcomings of prior art are overcome by the present invention whereby a stand for supporting plastic bags is made of a single piece of plastic or other suitable material that is fastened to itself and includes a cleat that allows the integral handles of each plastic bag to be hooked over the cleat and thus prevent each bag from opening and contents of each bag escape during transport in a vehicle.

The invention therefore provides a number of distinct advantages over devices taught in prior inventions, including for example, the following:

-   -   a) The support stand is made of a single piece of material held         in shape with fasteners.     -   b) The stand can be easily folded into its useful configuration,         and unfolded for storage.     -   c) The stand can be held on a car seat with a seat belt.     -   d) The stand is self supporting and does not rely on the vehicle         for mounting or for support.     -   e) The stand embodies an “A” frame configuration for strength.     -   f) The stand is light weight and inexpensive to ship.     -   g) The support stand is completely waterproof.     -   h) The stand may have an optional slip resistant base.     -   i) The stand may be fitted with an optional handle allowing bags         to be lifted and carried while on the stand.

Thus, in a first aspect the invention provides a stand that is made from a single piece of material and folded into a sturdy “A” shaped configuration. The material is formed with living hinges indented at each folding line.

The erected stand provides one or more cleats near the top of the stand that are used to hang plastic bags. The integral handles of the bags are placed over the cleats thus keeping the handles together and securing the bag in a closed configuration. In particular embodiments the stand may hold 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 plastic bags filled with contents.

In certain embodiments, the single piece of material is a thermoplastic such as expanded polypropolene sheet or expended polyethelyne sheet, or fluted polypropolene sheet, or fluted polyethelyne sheet. In other embodiments the material may be a rigid plastic material. In other embodiments the material may be plastic coated cardboard or plastic coated corrugated cardboard.

In certain embodiments, the material may be selected from a group of thermoplastics such as polycarbonate, or ABS.

In certain embodiments, the material may comprise, or consist essentially of a material selected from the group or rigid elastomers comprised of polyurethane, or rubber.

In a particular embodiment, the single piece of material comprising the main body of the stand is a thermoplastic having an average thickness of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 millimeters.

A related aspect concerns the manner in which the single piece of material is held in position after it is folded into shape. Mechanical means such as a hook-and-loop fabric (Velcro) or snaps may be used to secure the material in place. In other embodiments a screw type fastener or quarter turn fastener may be used.

In another aspect the invention provides methods for joining the material to itself with a more permanent joining method such as heat fusing or solvent bonding.

In a further related aspect, the invention may be manufactured by die cutting the single piece of material and heat forming hinge lines into it.

Thus, in another aspect, the invention concerns a stand that has a slip resistant base. The slip resistant base protects the stand from slippage along a horizontal axis. Likewise the ability to utilize a seatbelt when the stand is placed on a car seat further secures the stand, preventing it from sliding.

In certain embodiments, the stand includes more than two cleats for hanging plastic bags.

The term “thermoplastic” is used to refer to a material that can be molded onto the desired shape of the invention.

As used herein, the term “fluted sheet” refers to a construction material having a corrugated or fluted inner sheet joined to a liner sheet on one or on both sides. The term “cleat” is used to refer to a substantially rigid feature that can be used to hang or anchor the handles of a plastic bag. The “cleat” may have any shape that facilitates placing the integral handles of a plastic bag around it.

In the present context, the term “plastic bag” refers to a thin walled plastic bag that includes integral handles at the open end.

In connection with the present invention, the term “A” frame means that the side view of the structure resembles the letter “A”.

Additional embodiments will be apparent from the Detailed Description and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings provided are for purpose of illustration and description and not limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of the plastic bag stand in its assembled configuration.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the assembled plastic bag stand having an “A” shaped configuration.

FIG. 3 is an orthographic view of the plastic bag stand in its flat, unassembled configuration.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b illustrate the folding procedure.

FIGS. 5 a, 5 b and 5 c show fastening techniques that may be used to secure the stand in its assembled configuration.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b show a cross section drawing depicting a typical living hinge.

FIG. 7 is a perspective drawing showing several bags supported on the stand.

FIGS. 8 a, 8 b and 8 c illustrate different cleat shapes that may be used to hold the bag handles.

FIG. 9 shows an optional slip resistant material attached to the base of the stand.

FIG. 10 illustrates an optional carry handle attached to the stand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides advantageous structure for supporting plastic bags while in transit in a motor vehicle. The device described herein utilizes a single piece of material folded into a useful, “A” frame shape and secured by fasteners.

The advantage of the device is to support plastic bags while in transit and to prevent these plastic bags from tipping over and spilling their contents when the vehicle excelerates, turns, and stops.

An additional advantageous feature of the invention relates to its ability to be held on the seat of a motor vehicle by using the vehicle seatbelts. The open “A” frame construction allows a seatbelt to be passed through the center of the device. Furthermore, the device may be employed without a seat belt and may sit upon the seat, floor, trunk or bed of the vehicle.

As discussed in the Background, a number of techniques by previous inventors have been taught for supporting plastic bags while in transit. Many of those techniques include a hook or a post utilized to secure each plastic bag by its integral handle. Other inventors have taught the use of side walls to surround and support the bag(s). Additionally, some prior art has used both side walls and a hook or post as means of preventing spillage. The present invention utilizes a cleat that is similar to the hook or post used in prior art and allows the bag handles to be looped over the cleat thus keeping the open end of the bag together and maintaining the bag in an upright position.

The present invention is collapseable and able to be stored in a flat configuration such that several of the stands may be stored in a very small space.

Any of a number of thermoplastic materials may be used such as ABS, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane. In most cases a material such as polypropylene, having excellent living hinge properties, will be preferred.

In other embodiments a handle is incorporated into the device allowing the device to be picked up with the plastic bags attached.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the single piece of flat material is made of a rigid material such as ABS plastic with living hinge lines molded into it. The single piece is folded along the hinge lines and then fastened to itself. The resulting form resembles an “A” frame or stand.

In some cases, for the purpose of providing a more slip resistant stand, a slip resistant base made of a softer material may be added to the stand.

As pointed out in the Summary above, the present invention provides a number of advantages over conventional devices for supporting plastic bags. These include:

-   -   a) The simplicity of having only one piece construction.     -   b) The ability to use a seatbelt to secure the stand to a car         seat.     -   c) The sturdy “A” frame construction.

The present invention is further illustrated by the drawings, which are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. With reference to the figures like elements have been given like numerical designation to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. Wherever an alphabetic suffix is appended to such reference numerals, it indicates a variation of the same reference numeral.

As shown in perspective view in FIG. 1, a single piece of material I is folded into an “A” shaped stand shown in FIG. 2. The stand is held in position by tabs 2 and has cleats 3 near the top of the structure to retain the handles of plastic shoping bags.

When not in use the stand may be flattened as illustrated in FIG. 3 allowing ease of storage. Several rigid materials will work in this invention including polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS, polyurethane. Plastics may be expanded, having porosity. Plastics may be corregated, having a fluted core attached to outer walls. Cardboard may be used however to withstand the adverse effects of moisture a plastic coating should be applied.

Living hinges 4 are made an integral part of the single piece structure. To assemble the stand, the single piece is folded along the hinge lines 4 as shown in FIG. 4 a and FIG. 4 b. The tabs 2 used to hold the stand in position are secured by fasteners 5.

FIGS. 5 a, 5 b and 5 c show various fastening methods including hook and frabric, mechanical snaps and screw type fasteners.

Various types of hinges may be used to facilitate assembly of the stand. The desired construction method as mentioned above includes living hinges 4. Living hinges are formed as an integral part along with the single piece of material comprising the main body of the product. Living hinges allow the single piece construction to be folded in a predictable manner as shown in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b.

Several bags 6 may be supported on the stand as in FIG. 7. The integral bag handle is put onto the cleat 3 near the top of the stand. The bottom of the bag rests against the stand 1.

Several different cleat shapes may be used to effectively hold the bag handles as illustrated in FIGS. 8 a, 8 b and 8 c.

In FIG. 9 an optional slip resistant surface 7 has been attached to the base of the stand 1.

Additionally an optional carry handle 8 may be added to the stand 1 as shown in FIG. 10.

All patents and other references cited in the specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, and are incorporated by reference in their entireties, including any tables and figures, to the same extent as if each reference had been incorporated by reference in its entirety individually.

One skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The methods, variances, and compositions described herein as presently representative of preferred embodiments are exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art, which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention, are defined by the scope of the claims.

It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that varying substitutions and modifications may be made to the invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, variations can be made to the shape of the tab used to hold the plastic bag handles other than those illustrated (such as oval, “L” shaped, asymmetric, etc.); the number of tabs per stand may be one, two or several; the method of attaching the single piece of material to itself may be accomplished in a number of ways; the container may be fitted with a handle or not; the handle may have other shapes than those illustrated, the container may have a slip resistant base. Thus, such additional embodiments are within the scope of the present invention and the following claims.

The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations which is not specifically disclosed herein. The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups or other grouping of alternatives, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group or other group.

Also, unless indicated to the contrary, where various numerical values or value range endpoints are provided for embodiments, additional embodiments are described by taking any 2 different values as the endpoints of a range or by taking two different range endpoints from specified ranges as the endpoints of an additional range. Such ranges are also within the scope of the described invention. Thus, additional embodiments are within the scope of the invention and within the following claims. 

1. A stand for supporting one or more plastic shopping bags with contents during transportation comprising: A single piece main body that is folded and held by fastening means to itself; A structure that is generally pyramidal in form having an “A” shaped side view; A shape that incorporates one or more cleats for the purpose of retaining the integral handles of plastic bags.
 2. The stand of claim 1, wherein the stand is a static part and is not collapseable.
 3. The stand of claim 1, wherein the stand is collapseable to a flat form.
 4. The stand of claim 1, wherein the stand can support between 1 and 6 bags.
 5. The stand of claim 1, wherein the stand can support between 1 and 12 bags.
 6. The stand of claim 1, wherein the stand can support between 1 and 18 bags.
 7. The stand of claim 1, wherein the material used to construct the main body of the structure is plastic.
 8. The stand of claim 1, wherein the material used to construct the main body of the structure is a combination of plastic and cardboard.
 9. The stand of claim 1, wherein the material used to construct the main body of the structure is cardboard.
 10. The stand of claim 1, wherein the stand has a handle.
 11. The stand of claim 1, wherein the stand has a slip resistant base. 